Las Vegas - Cup starting grid

8 March 2013

Heavy rain showers washed out all Friday's Cup activity at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, including the scheduled qualifying session. As a result, the starting for Sunday's Kobalt Tools 400 race was set by owner points as per the NASCAR rule book, which at this point are dominated by carry-over points from 2012 putting reigning champion Brad Keselowski on pole position alongside Clint Bowyer.

"It is one of the perks I guess of being the champion in the first few races," said Keselowski. "That is the first time I have had a decent starting position in a rainout," he continued, adding: "I was just thinking when I walked in, with this being Vegas and all, what the odds would be of a rainout in Vegas. I bet that was pretty high."

Jimmie Johnson and Kasey Kahne will make it an all-Hendrick Motorsports second row, ahead of Greg Biffle and Denny Hamlin on row three. Mike Bliss was the only driver to miss out on this week's race after being unable to attempt to qualify on speed.

Although he starts the race from pole, Keselowski does not pick up a spot in the 2014 Daytona Sprint Unlimited exhibition race which is reserved for this year's Cup pole sitters. Not that Keselowski was complaining.

"Whenever you can start up front it is a big deal and you get the first pit stall and all those things that make a big difference on pit road," said the Penske Racing driver.